The Spartan baseball C-team wrapped up its 2003 season with victories in its final three games, beating Mercer Island 15-14 and sweeping a doubleheader from O’Dea, to finish with a record of 15-3 on the year.
The game was a wild, nine-inning marathon, as the Spartans rallied from a 12-7 deficit in the bottom of the sixth.
The Islanders took a 14-13 lead in the top of the ninth, but a grounder by Paul De Barros scored two for the win in the bottom of the eighth. David Kroman had four hits and four RBIs on the day and Brenden Gent had four hits as well. Nick Browning pitched three strong innings in relief to close out the game.
In the season finale, the young Spartans handled O’Dea on both ends of a doubleheader, 11-3 and 19-11. In the opener, Kroman pitched a complete game, limiting the Irish to one earned run.
Anthony Bucat paced the offense with three hits and Clif McKenzie and Tim Draluck had two hits each. Matt Frazee led the 14-hit effort in the nightcap with five hits and Cam Wagner added four hits and four RBI’s.
“These guys have shown incredible character all season and it has been a pleasure to coach them during a great year,” said coach Greg Mesmer.
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***Varsity slump vs. O’Dea continues
Playing No. 1 Metro-ranked O’Dea for the second time in three days, the Spartan varsity baseball team came up short once again.
By the third inning, the Irish had built a 5-0 lead against BHS starter Nick Schuetz. O’Dea starter and former Bainbridge Islander Barrett Kanyer mixed a good fastball, curve and flawless Irish defense to hold the Spartans in check.
Bainbridge scored its only run in the top of the fourth when Kevin Roach stroked his second hit of the game and scored on Troy Apro’s triple over the center fielder’s head.
Andy Nelson relieved Schuetz in the fifth after consecutive singles and a walk loaded the bases. Nelson battled hard, striking out the first two batters he faced, but gave up a two-run single as the Irish wrapped up the scoring 9-1.
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***JV hardballers fall to Irish again
The Spartan JV team went through three pitchers against O’Dea Friday afternoon, and none could handle the Irish batters.
“It’s a grudge match,” said head coach Mike Benz. “Last year we took them apart.”
The Spartans led the contest 3-2 going into the fourth inning, but O’Dea broke out with a flurry of hits, scoring five runs, and two more in the fifth. A short-lived rally in the bottom of the fifth saw three Spartans cross the plate, but that would be the last of the scoring for Bainbridge.
O’Dea closed out the game 12-6.
“We’ve been inconsistent all year, particularly defensively,” said Benz. “We should have split with O’Dea, but we’re having trouble putting teams away.”
